An outbreak of equine flu has caused British horse racing to be cancelled until at least February 13.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced the news after three vaccinated horses tested positive for the disease.

Trainer Donald McCain in Cheshire has confirmed the horses came from his stables.

McCain sent out runners at Ludlow and Ayr on Wednesday afternoon before vets later informed him of the news, with the trainer then contacting the British Horseracing Authority.

The origin of the infection is unclear, with McCain keen to emphasise he would never knowingly have run a potentially infected horse.

Horses from the infected yard raced on Wednesday, and racing has been called off in a bid to contain the outbreak.

The BHA said: “This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing to quickly.”